New York Knicks only 2018 NBA Mock Draft: Final Four Edition

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BOSTON, MA – MARCH 25: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats celebrates with teammates after defeating the Texas Tech Red Raiders 71-59 in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament East Regional to advance to the 2018 Final Four at TD Garden on March 25, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Age: 21 (8/30/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’7″, 210 pounds, 7’2″
Slash Line: .512/.436/.848
Season Averages: 32.1 MPG, 17.8 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 2.6 3PM

This may be optimistic, but the optimism is based in some part on the opinions of experts around the community. Jonathan Givony of ESPN has Mikal Bridges ranked as the No. 10 prospect in the 2018 NBA Draft and Jonathan Wasserman of NBADraft.net has him at No. 12.

Thus, while I and many others may be of the belief that Bridges should be a top-five draft pick, the irrational fear of upperclassmen makes this a legitimate possibility for the New York Knicks.

Bridges is the rare player whose defensive prowess and potential are as compelling as what he can do on offense. He’s already a lockdown defender at the collegiate level, with the footwork and instincts to keep players at all three perimeter positions in front of him.

With a 7’2″ wingspan and a frame that should fill out with muscle and improved core strength, Bridges could realistically bring elite help defense against all five positions.

Offensively, Bridges is one of the best shooters in this draft class, as well as a vastly improved shot creator. He can get his own looks in isolation or distribute the ball to his teammates, and has displayed the ability to finish with both hands at the rim.

Bridges has been compared to Kawhi Leonard, and while that will require the Knicks to develop him into such a player, it’s as safe a project as any.

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